Today is my 30th birthday. It's kind of surreal hitting the big 3-0.
Not sure what I'll be seeing this weekend...maybe Dinner for Schmucks...maybe Despicable Me...maybe something else...we'll have to see what happens...
Nothing from Netflix @ the moment -- my next disc is shipping today (not sure what's coming up next...) Watched Spanglish earlier this week. It's not great, but it's not terrible...I do like Sandler when he's not being a total ass-clown (his work in Punch Drunk Love and Reign Over Me was exceptional).
Last weekend I saw two of the best movies of the year -- Cyrus and The Kids are All Right. I'll have some comments for both of them coming up soon.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
Sunday, July 25, 2010
COMIC-CON GOODIES
I went to San Diego's Comic-Con a few times when I lived out in Hell-A. This year's fest sounds quite juicy.
Daniel Craig in Cowboys & Aliens, from director Jon Favreau (Iron Man 1 & 2). Harrison Ford and Sam Rockwell also star in this old-West sci-fi mash-up. All I ask is that it's better than Wild, Wild, West.
Here they are -- The Avengers. Pretty damn cool to see all of them in one image. Downey Jr (Iron Man), Clark Gregg (S.H.I.E.L.D. agent), Scarjo (Black Widow), Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Chris Evans (Captain America), Sam Jackson (Nick Fury), Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye), Mark Ruffalo (Hulk), and director Joss Whedon (what a GREAT choice). We'll have to wait until summer 2012 to see them all in action but I have a feeling it'll be worth the wait.
Sucker Punch. What a weird-sounding movie this is. From writer/director Zack Snyder (Dawn of the Dead, 300, Watchmen), Sucker Punch is Snyder's first totally original creation. It sounds completely beserek (mental institutions, dragons, robots, WWI-trench warfare, Don Draper (I mean John Hamm), samurai swords, burlesque outfits...VERY curious about this project...
Daniel Craig in Cowboys & Aliens, from director Jon Favreau (Iron Man 1 & 2). Harrison Ford and Sam Rockwell also star in this old-West sci-fi mash-up. All I ask is that it's better than Wild, Wild, West.
Here they are -- The Avengers. Pretty damn cool to see all of them in one image. Downey Jr (Iron Man), Clark Gregg (S.H.I.E.L.D. agent), Scarjo (Black Widow), Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Chris Evans (Captain America), Sam Jackson (Nick Fury), Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye), Mark Ruffalo (Hulk), and director Joss Whedon (what a GREAT choice). We'll have to wait until summer 2012 to see them all in action but I have a feeling it'll be worth the wait.
Sucker Punch. What a weird-sounding movie this is. From writer/director Zack Snyder (Dawn of the Dead, 300, Watchmen), Sucker Punch is Snyder's first totally original creation. It sounds completely beserek (mental institutions, dragons, robots, WWI-trench warfare, Don Draper (I mean John Hamm), samurai swords, burlesque outfits...VERY curious about this project...Friday, July 23, 2010
MOVIES FOR THE WEEKEND
Double feature Saturday this weekend. Cyrus and The Kids Are All Right.
Salt next Tuesday after work. Looks slick and entertaining. I'm a big fan of Phil Noyce (Rabbit Proof Fence, Clear & Present Danger).
Nothing from Netflix for this weekend (waiting on my next disc; just sent back the crazy/dark kids movie Mousehunt which is pretty insane) but the new Todd Solondz film Life During Wartime hits On-Demand. Need to check that one out ASAP (and please note: this will probably be the only paragraph ever written with the movies Mousehunt and Life During Wartime mentioned in the same space).
Salt next Tuesday after work. Looks slick and entertaining. I'm a big fan of Phil Noyce (Rabbit Proof Fence, Clear & Present Danger).
Nothing from Netflix for this weekend (waiting on my next disc; just sent back the crazy/dark kids movie Mousehunt which is pretty insane) but the new Todd Solondz film Life During Wartime hits On-Demand. Need to check that one out ASAP (and please note: this will probably be the only paragraph ever written with the movies Mousehunt and Life During Wartime mentioned in the same space).
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Friday, July 16, 2010
MOVIES FOR THE WEEKEND
Inception. Sunday. End of story. Looks deliriously good.
From Netflix is the kiddie flick Mouse Hunt (I saw it once a while back; want to refresh my memory).
I enjoyed Predators; I'll have a quick write-up soon.
Also, I've got a Blu Ray round-up coming soon which will highlight the following titles: Wolfman, Brooklyn's Finest, Chloe, Hot Tub Time Machine, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, Shall We Kiss?, The White Ribbon, and The Book of Eli.
From Netflix is the kiddie flick Mouse Hunt (I saw it once a while back; want to refresh my memory).
I enjoyed Predators; I'll have a quick write-up soon.
Also, I've got a Blu Ray round-up coming soon which will highlight the following titles: Wolfman, Brooklyn's Finest, Chloe, Hot Tub Time Machine, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, Shall We Kiss?, The White Ribbon, and The Book of Eli.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Monday, July 12, 2010
ANXIOUS
I am basically foaming at the mouth to see the new (and supposedly mostly silent) Viking epic Valhalla Rising. The director is the incredible Nicolas Winding-Refn (the mesmerizing and brilliant Bronson). From what I've heard, Valhalla Rising is like a Terrence Malick film crossed with some period-action/horror elements which relies heavily on dialogue-free visual storytelling. Like I mentioned a moment ago -- FOAMING AT THE MOUTH. The tatted actor in the shot above is the awesome Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen (Casino Royale, King Arthur, After the Wedding). I've read some superb reviews for Valhalla, which opens in NY/LA on 7/23. I am almost positive (but not certain) that it will also hit On-Demand next weekend (got my fingers and toes crossed). 
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Friday, July 9, 2010
MOVIES FOR THE WEEKEND
Predators is a definite big-screen movie -- either this Saturday afternoon or one day next week after work. It looks pretty slick. And it's rated-R.
Despicable Me looks like colorful, cute fun -- I'd like to see that as well at some point.
Nothing from Netflix for this weekend -- just finished watching The White Ribbon last night. Cold, mean, calculating, and heady -- the typical ingredients in a Michael Haneke film. I enjoyed watching the film without ever actually loving what I was watching (if that makes any sense).
Last week I also saw the Neil Jordan/Colin Farrell mermaid movie Ondine and it's one of the best of the year. Modern-day fairy-tales are hard to pull off but this film casts a spell immediately. Sumptuous cinematography from Chris Doyle and a lovely script that twists and turns and adds up to something special. As usual, Farrell owned every moment that he was on-screen.
I also caught Greenberg, which was excellent, but in a low-key and very depressing way. Stiller has never been this good or focused (or at least since The Royal Tennenbaums) but the movie was completely stolen by the effortless charms of Greta Gerwig. Writer/director Noah Baumbach is a master of the awkward moment (of which there are plenty in Greenberg), and if the film didn't quite leave you with a major emotional uptick by the conclusion, it certainly showed you some characters who need a lot of therapy. As usual, the sly cinematographer Harris Savides brought his A-game.
Despicable Me looks like colorful, cute fun -- I'd like to see that as well at some point.
Nothing from Netflix for this weekend -- just finished watching The White Ribbon last night. Cold, mean, calculating, and heady -- the typical ingredients in a Michael Haneke film. I enjoyed watching the film without ever actually loving what I was watching (if that makes any sense).
Last week I also saw the Neil Jordan/Colin Farrell mermaid movie Ondine and it's one of the best of the year. Modern-day fairy-tales are hard to pull off but this film casts a spell immediately. Sumptuous cinematography from Chris Doyle and a lovely script that twists and turns and adds up to something special. As usual, Farrell owned every moment that he was on-screen.
I also caught Greenberg, which was excellent, but in a low-key and very depressing way. Stiller has never been this good or focused (or at least since The Royal Tennenbaums) but the movie was completely stolen by the effortless charms of Greta Gerwig. Writer/director Noah Baumbach is a master of the awkward moment (of which there are plenty in Greenberg), and if the film didn't quite leave you with a major emotional uptick by the conclusion, it certainly showed you some characters who need a lot of therapy. As usual, the sly cinematographer Harris Savides brought his A-game.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC
For me, the only recent vampire movie worth a spit is Tomas Alfredson's haunting thriller Let the Right One In, which was one of my favorite films from 2008. Next January sees the release of Matt Reeves's remake, now being called Let Me In. While I loved Cloverfield, I'm slightly hesitant about seeing Let the Right One In remade. It's a perfect movie and easily one of the best horror movies in recent years. Except, while it is horrific at times and it's easily labeled as a "horror" film, it's much more than that. The script is layered and deep, and themes of friendship and love are explored in very interesting ways. How close will Reeves stick to the original template? What changes are in store for the narrative? How will the two child actors fare? I'm very curious and hopeful but keeping my fingers crossed...Friday, July 2, 2010
MOVIES FOR THE WEEKEND
It's kind of funny how the critics have completely and utterly crucified M. Night over The Last Fartbender, er, I mean, Airbender. I have next to no interest in the film. So, sadly, this will be the rare July 4th weekend without a trip to the theater (a crime in my estimation).
From Netflix is the B&W German film The White Ribbon. I've heard nothing but tremendous stuff.
I watched the Robert Pattinson melodrama Remember Me earlier this week. A solid film, better than I expected after reading some terrible reviews. Pattinson has decent chops as an actor but it was Lost's Emilie de Ravin who stole the film. The finale was EXTREMELY bold, and I'm still wrestling with it a bit from a decision-making P.O.V., but overall, I liked the film. Director Allen Coulter showed some style chops and any movie benefits from having Chris Cooper in its ensemble. Also, Pierce Brosnan showed that he plays a great a-hole. I thought the film veered into too-easy sentimentality at times, but it's the sort of film that wears its heart on its sleeve -- unabashed melodrama. In this cinematic day and age you sort of have to respect that.
The Wolfman, Edge of Darkness, The Killer Inside Me, and Ondine are all available On Demand. Would love to check at least one of those out over the long weekend...
From Netflix is the B&W German film The White Ribbon. I've heard nothing but tremendous stuff.
I watched the Robert Pattinson melodrama Remember Me earlier this week. A solid film, better than I expected after reading some terrible reviews. Pattinson has decent chops as an actor but it was Lost's Emilie de Ravin who stole the film. The finale was EXTREMELY bold, and I'm still wrestling with it a bit from a decision-making P.O.V., but overall, I liked the film. Director Allen Coulter showed some style chops and any movie benefits from having Chris Cooper in its ensemble. Also, Pierce Brosnan showed that he plays a great a-hole. I thought the film veered into too-easy sentimentality at times, but it's the sort of film that wears its heart on its sleeve -- unabashed melodrama. In this cinematic day and age you sort of have to respect that.
The Wolfman, Edge of Darkness, The Killer Inside Me, and Ondine are all available On Demand. Would love to check at least one of those out over the long weekend...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
